The recently released Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 19991,2 presents evidence-based recommendations for surgical site infection (SSI) prevention; provides an extensive review of the epidemiology, definitions, microbiology, pathogenesis, and surveillance of SSI; and provides a detailed discussion of the pre-, intra-, and post-operative issues relevant to SSI genesis. The guideline includes a continuing education component.

The guideline and information about continuing education credit are available on CDC's Hospital Infections Program, National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), World-Wide Web site http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/ or by writing to SSI Guideline Evaluation Activity, Hospital Infections Program, NCID, Mailstop E-69, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd., N.E., Atlanta, GA 30333. Participating in this activity is free, and the deadline for applying for continuing education credit is April 15, 2000.